Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
What kind of bug bite would cause your foot to swell up twice its size?
something got me either when I was cutting the grass or in my sleep about 3 days ago. Saw a millipede and a wolf spider in the kitchen, but haven't seen any other bugs around. Dizzy spells and hot swelling (celulitous) from ankle down even after benadryl and cold water foot soaks. Trying to elevate it when I can too.
Tried to go to the local clinic to get checked out but it felt silly waiting 3 hrs in their lobby, paying them $150 for new patient fee because I don't have insurance. My guess is they can't do anything about it and will tell me to go home, take benydryl, we take visa. I'm starting to rethink this because this should be going down by now. My knowledge ends at emergency medicine. Anyone have a clue what this could be?
Wolf spider!!!? Passes out... Aren't those the ones so big that they make tunnels or burrows or something because they are too large for a web? If I ever see one in my home, I'd toss it the house/apartment keys and wish it every happiness with its new home.
Well HL I hope your getting better? If you wait long enough it will most likely take care of itself, And if it were serious i'm sure by now you would be knowing it,
Thanks for everyones concern and advice-
I finally got to see a Dr at the free clinic (part of WV health right network) in charleston. Shawnee in mercer county was going to be where I tried next if I was denied in charleston, but remember that traveling to other counties only burdens their economy. This clinic is an all or nothing situation too, they couldn't charge me for healthcare the way they're fiscally set up, but they allowed me to voluntarily donate what I'd have paid a regular doctor visit. I feel I got excellent care there, and glad they didn't make it so difficult to realize trouble happens to in-between-jobs folks too, not just homeless, welfare, or addiction patients. They accept volunteers, and I think that's a good place for me to consider volunteering once my house is in order.
x1x/jani/Millers- no streak, the scab is whole, but the edema didn't go down the whole week. Although elevating & soaking frequently to reduce swelling, I didn't include epsom salt, which would have drawn out the ickies. As luck would have it Rite aid is having a bogo sale on it right now. This spider wasn't deadly poison like brown recluse, and I'm not deathly alergic, but this is apparently a bacterial type infection from the bite itself, not the venom. Any bug bite with certain strains of bacteria could do this. They put me on sulfa antibiotics and prednisone taper off dose, w/orders to return next week if its not gone by then. Had I ignored getting treatment, I'd be risking Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), or oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA). Anyone with a compromised immune system would have higher risks than I.
DK- thanks for bringing reason to the fore. Sometimes my own head gets in my way. Glad you quit smoking. This world needs you around, and I'd be forced to complain that you got off too easily.
DK/BJC/Retired/Hinton/City- You may have had excellent care at the VA (quality never disputed), but for many vets, it becomes a false sense of security when politics is involved with their budget/patient criteria. Might be something you want to voice to fed levels, especially with so many service people returning from iraq. Another forum has reports of PTSD getting denied, and high suicide rates for vets. Seems all/nothing, or encouraging people to exagerate service related disabilities to qualify, is what that benefit has reduced itself to being. No sliding scale available is a mistake IMO. The system as it is currently written encourages dishonesty and irresponsibility. If I had a traditional pension I wouldn't have been penalized, and since most people won't have a traditional pension available to them the way old timers did, it will apply to most people.
Tbailey- I did make the best of that 1/3 tank of gas R/T to huntington- Stewarts dawg w/bollards slaw for lunch. Dinner was Jims spaghetti and steak house= great service. Compliments to the chef, not very often you can get a rib eye cooked to such perfection that if you added anything to it would ruin the flavor. What a deal for $9. I got to sit in the booth adjacent to JFK's booth, and for a tuesday night they had standing room only. Huntington has more bustle to it than charleston. Things seem to move faster all around there (without losing its friendly nature), for whatever reason. I guess your local economy is seeing great strides.
FYI Great produce bargains at the superwalmart near barboursville(?) mall. I almost wonder if gas prices didn't cause people to curtail their memorial day shindigs and now they have surplus on their hands. Whole watermellons are $3? 4 lb Bags of grapefruits & oranges $3? Peaches $1.10/lb? 28 cent ears of corn. $1/lb fresh green beans. This heat has me craving fruit salad all the time and wilted pickins/$$ prices in charleston at every local grocer here for some odd reason. I think there might be a farmers market along the interstate somewhere near the ball field in downtown, but I'm driving past it before I realize what it was. Maybe Vec knows what I'm talking about?
PS those cicadas/june bugs are insane!
Thanks again all, for anyone I missed, and hope if you need help yourselves, or anyone you know, next time this thread will direct you in the right place. HL is officially on the mend.
thanks For Everyones Concern And Advice-
I Finally Got To See A Dr At The Free Clinic (part Of Wv Health Right Network) In Charleston. Shawnee In Mercer County Was Going To Be Where I Tried Next If I Was Denied In Charleston, But Remember That Traveling To Other Counties Only Burdens Their Economy. This Clinic Is An All Or Nothing Situation Too, They Couldn't Charge Me For Healthcare The Way They're Fiscally Set Up, But They Allowed Me To Voluntarily Donate What I'd Have Paid A Regular Doctor Visit. I Feel I Got Excellent Care There, And Glad They Didn't Make It So Difficult To Realize Trouble Happens To In-between-jobs Folks Too, Not Just Homeless, Welfare, Or Addiction Patients. They Accept Volunteers, And I Think That's A Good Place For Me To Consider Volunteering Once My House Is In Order.
X1x/jani/millers- No Streak, The Scab Is Whole, But The Edema Didn't Go Down The Whole Week. Although Elevating & Soaking Frequently To Reduce Swelling, I Didn't Include Epsom Salt, Which Would Have Drawn Out The Ickies. As Luck Would Have It Rite Aid Is Having A Bogo Sale On It Right Now. This Spider Wasn't Deadly Poison Like Brown Recluse, And I'm Not Deathly Alergic, But This Is Apparently A Bacterial Type Infection From The Bite Itself, Not The Venom. Any Bug Bite With Certain Strains Of Bacteria Could Do This. They Put Me On Sulfa Antibiotics And Prednisone Taper Off Dose, W/orders To Return Next Week If Its Not Gone By Then. Had I Ignored Getting Treatment, I'd Be Risking Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (mrsa), Or Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (orsa). Anyone With A Compromised Immune System Would Have Higher Risks Than I.
Dk- Thanks For Bringing Reason To The Fore. Sometimes My Own Head Gets In My Way. Glad You Quit Smoking. This World Needs You Around, And I'd Be Forced To Complain That You Got Off Too Easily.
Dk/bjc/retired/hinton/city- You May Have Had Excellent Care At The Va (quality Never Disputed), But For Many Vets, It Becomes A False Sense Of Security When Politics Is Involved With Their Budget/patient Criteria. Might Be Something You Want To Voice To Fed Levels, Especially With So Many Service People Returning From Iraq. Another Forum Has Reports Of Ptsd Getting Denied, And High Suicide Rates For Vets. Seems All/nothing, Or Encouraging People To Exagerate Service Related Disabilities To Qualify, Is What That Benefit Has Reduced Itself To Being. No Sliding Scale Available Is A Mistake Imo. The System As It Is Currently Written Encourages Dishonesty And Irresponsibility. If I Had A Traditional Pension I Wouldn't Have Been Penalized, And Since Most People Won't Have A Traditional Pension Available To Them The Way Old Timers Did, It Will Apply To Most People.
Tbailey- I Did Make The Best Of That 1/3 Tank Of Gas R/t To Huntington- Stewarts Dawg W/bollards Slaw For Lunch. Dinner Was Jims Spaghetti And Steak House= Great Service. Compliments To The Chef, Not Very Often You Can Get A Rib Eye Cooked To Such Perfection That If You Added Anything To It Would Ruin The Flavor. What A Deal For $9. I Got To Sit In The Booth Adjacent To Jfk's Booth, And For A Tuesday Night They Had Standing Room Only. Huntington Has More Bustle To It Than Charleston. Things Seem To Move Faster All Around There (without Losing Its Friendly Nature), For Whatever Reason. I Guess Your Local Economy Is Seeing Great Strides.
Fyi Great Produce Bargains At The Superwalmart Near Barboursville(?) Mall. I Almost Wonder If Gas Prices Didn't Cause People To Curtail Their Memorial Day Shindigs And Now They Have Surplus On Their Hands. Whole Watermellons Are $3? 4 Lb Bags Of Grapefruits & Oranges $3? Peaches $1.10/lb? 28 Cent Ears Of Corn. $1/lb Fresh Green Beans. This Heat Has Me Craving Fruit Salad All The Time And Wilted Pickins/$$ Prices In Charleston At Every Local Grocer Here For Some Odd Reason. I Think There Might Be A Farmers Market Along The Interstate Somewhere Near The Ball Field In Downtown, But I'm Driving Past It Before I Realize What It Was. Maybe Vec Knows What I'm Talking About?
Ps Those Cicadas/june Bugs Are Insane!
Thanks Again All, For Anyone I Missed, And Hope If You Need Help Yourselves, Or Anyone You Know, Next Time This Thread Will Direct You In The Right Place. Hl Is Officially On The Mend.
Young lady...I'm glad we didn't need to call you to the parade deck for 100,000 bends and thrusts or to 'bury a sand flea under the barracks...these are the best of times...they are the worst of times...and please do this...
Do the paperwork for the VA medical...we have a little treasure in that system here...and you qualify...a person only needs 1 (one) honorable discharge to qualify..
My good friend...S/Sgt Nameless...martial arts instructor and survival specialist got into trouble about 13 yrs into his enlistment...was kicked out.
He was dying of kidney cancer and I took him to the facility...kidney was removed...got him into some counseling...got him into college...He will graduate next term at the age of 50. Masters and will continue at the Alma Mater in a teaching position...I remember him saying it was a waste of time...ha ha ha...
In the car that night, I asked how many Honorable Discharges do you have....He said, Three...
I replied...you only need one in this man's America...
All that done by a country who is grateful for that service...get your paperwork in and get ready to chum around the coffee pot,(in the waiting lobby) with some new old friends...please do not abuse yourself by not getting a proper thank you for your service...
dk.....That's and Order! Haven't said that for a while...
ps: Are you that old that you might know of a 'rogue wave that damaged an aircraft carrier and almost broke her tending submarine into in the Atlantic? Continental Shelf broke off and almost turned the aircraft carrier over...just a few hours out of NYC...Some of NYC Harbor Service was involved in that accident...
Not sure I was active at that time but I do recall seeing something about that in maritime history book as a quartermaster. Bridge geeks pass those books back and forth to CIC moles through messenger rounds on nightwatch.
We did have a rogue wave hit us off the coast of oregon head on- put a big crimp on the bow, moved a welded hatch plate on deck of my 378' cutter back about 2" and blew out the captains foward porthole. This wasn't a surf line but bathometric maps support those kinds of waves in that region. He was a little upset, needless to say, and it took him a while to figure out he was still in his underoos when he ran up to see what happened. And so were the people along port/stbd galley decks having a smoke break nearly washed out to sea. Had to do a full blown GQ muster just to make sure we didn't lose anyone, and engineers had to work OT on bowthruster packings stressed too much.
As far as the VA goes, you pretty much have to be destitute or have a way with creative writing as a hardship letter. The rules really have gotten harder than you think. When I was a volunteer at northport, NY VA most patients were WW2 vets and current active duty laid up. One or two vietnam vets diagnosed with MS. Nobody else without clearly defined service related injuries. Please do check again, because the rules changed. Ask about the 80k limit on 401k plans next time you're there. I would happily be there if they'd let me, because once registered in the system I could go to a charleston small clinic (you can't register there though). I know first hand the quality care there because I worked with those doc's & nurses- very commited to welfare of all.
Maybe your right...I got a letter several years ago and it told me to get into the system. I laughed it off but got another notice...acted on that one...never really liked the local hospital and all the relatives work there...the people at the VA didn't seem to be processing cattle for slaughter...when I got sick, I used them..glad I did...and they have been the best...maybe its just the system up here...would not use anyone else...its like a club, to see all the old guys from ww-2 and the viet guys...many in colors and really needing help...don't get that feeling at the other horsepittals...its a belonging thing...we/us...
...allowed me to voluntarily donate what I'd have paid a regular doctor visit. They accept volunteers, and I think that's a good place for me to consider volunteering once my house is in order.
The clearest indicator or moral character is when you must choose between what is easy, and what is right.
Would have been easy for you to walk right out and keep your money. Thanks for restoring my confidence in the American way; if only until I read todays news.
~Mark
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Passes out... Aren't those the ones so big that they make tunnels or burrows or something because they are too large for a web? If I ever see one in my home, I'd toss it the house/apartment keys and wish it every happiness with its new home.
